Arrive in Düsseldorf on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), a private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, join your tour leader John McDonald and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing at the hotel, followed by dinner.

(D)

After breakfast, explore the creative energy of Düsseldorf with a private, guided tour of the city’s premier art institutions. Begin with the bold, raw architecture of the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, known for its experimental movements since its Brutalist structure opened in 1967, and its dynamic programme of contemporary exhibitions. Continue to the sleek, black-granite façade of the K20 Kunstsammlung NRW, home to a world-class permanent collection of 20th-century masterpieces, including Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso and Joseph Beuys.

After lunch, depart Düsseldorf and drive northeast across the Westphalian plain towards Münster.

Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Following a morning talk by John, embark on a private, guided exploration of Skulptur Projekte Münster 2027, as the city is transformed into an expansive setting for contemporary art. Discover how artists engage with Münster’s streets, squares and public spaces, with the 50th anniversary edition bringing new perspectives to this unique exhibition.

The afternoon is at leisure to relax or to further explore Skulptur Projekte Münster at your own pace.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

This morning, continue with the exploration of Skulptur Projekte, discovering ambitious contemporary installations and site-specific works. Conclude at the prestigious Kunstmuseum Pablo Picasso, opened in 2000 as Germany’s first and only museum dedicated to Picasso, with a private, guided tour of the world’s most comprehensive collection of Picasso’s lithographs.

Enjoy some time at leisure before departing for Kassel, arriving in the late afternoon.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

Following a talk by John, enjoy a private, guided orientation tour of Kassel, exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage and its transformation into an international centre for contemporary art through documenta, one of the world’s most influential exhibitions of contemporary art, first held here in 1955.

Discover how artists engage with Kassel’s distinctive urban and cultural landscape with visits to selected documenta exhibition sites.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

This morning, continue the exploration of documenta 16 with further opportunities to discover its ambitious programme across Kassel.

After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll around the celebrated Hercules monument and enjoy sweeping panoramic views across Kassel and the surrounding landscape.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Today, check out of the hotel and drive to Berlin, with a stop en route for lunch. Renowned for its vibrant contemporary art scene, from internationally significant museums and private collections to influential commercial galleries and independent spaces, Berlin hosts the Berlin Art Week, the city’s annual celebration of contemporary art.

Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

After a talk by John, explore Berlin’s contemporary art scene on an introductory coach orientation tour, concluding at the renowned BOROS Collection. Founded in 1999 by Christian and Karen Boros, the collection is housed in a former 1942 air-raid bunker, where contemporary art is presented within the building’s atmospheric interiors.

After lunch, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to further explore the city at your own pace.

(BL)

Begin the day at the Neue Nationalgalerie, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s celebrated masterpiece of modernist architecture, housing Berlin’s outstanding collection of 20th-century art. Continue to the Gemäldegalerie, home to one of Europe’s finest collections of European paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Titian.

After lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure before reconvening for a visit to Hamburger Bahnhof, one of the city’s leading museums of contemporary art, housed in a former railway station dating from the 1840s.

(BL)

After breakfast, enjoy a private, guided tour of the newly reopened Pergamon Museum, renowned for its exceptional collection of ancient art and archaeology. Opened in 1930, it forms part of Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museum Island and houses some of the world’s finest examples of ancient architecture.

Enjoy the remainder of the morning and early afternoon at leisure before a visit to Gropius Bau, one of Berlin’s most distinguished exhibition spaces for contemporary art. Built in 1881 to designs by Martin Gropius and Heino Schmieden, the Gropius Bau is a remarkable example of Renaissance Revival architecture.

Enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant before returning to the hotel.

(BD)

Today, transfer to Tempelhof Airport to attend events of the Berlin Art Week 2027, the city’s annual celebration of contemporary art, bringing together museums, galleries, private collections and project spaces across Berlin. Afterwards, continue to the Hoffmann Collection, founded by Erika and Rolf Hoffmann and opened to the public in 1997 in their living and working spaces in Berlin’s Mitte district. The collection brings together works by leading international artists, offering a distinctive perspective on contemporary art shaped by the Hoffmanns’ personal approach to collecting.

Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with John and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Berlin Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)